Hoy/Scott Watershed Society director, Matthew Watts holds a beautiful Chinook salmon while crouched in Hoy Creek on November 11, 2023. The discovery happened after heavy rainfall.

While not common, it’s not unusual to see fish like this enter our streams in Coquitlam under such high water flows.

“We were on Hoy Creek at the trap site targeting Coho,” said Matthew. “I was joined by Tyler Storgaard and Elias Ozmanzai, a volunteer with the Coquitlam River Hatchery. It was about noon and we set our sein nets in the water. As we worked the sein through the pool we saw something big hit one of the nets. After untangling it we new it was a Chinook based of its sheer size and body profile. “

“Another good indication for a Chinook is its black gums. This specific fish was a male and likely weighed 6-10kg. Every year there are a few Chinook present in the creek but we don't always get to experience them up close. Quite a healthy fish, all I could remember was the girth of the tail where I held it. “